CRYSTALLINE PRINCIPLES FROM THE LEAVES AND TWIGS OFLEPTADENIA RETICULATA

Abstract

From the leaves and twigs of Leptadenia reticulata hentriacontanol, or-amyrin, B-amyrin, and stigmasterol were isolated a n d identified. Further two flavones diosmetin and luteolin were isolated and chararterised by chemical and spectral methods.Leptadenia reticulata W . & A . (Asclepiadaceae) is a branched nvining shrub commonly found in hedges. The plant was reported to be stimulant and restorative and useful in skin affections and wounds. Intravenous administration of aqueous extract of stems was reported to possess pronounced and prolonged hypotensive action. The plant was clinically tested and found useful in the treatment of habitual abortion in women. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were also studied (Wealth of India, 1962;CHOPRA et al., 1969). An extract of Leptadenia reticulata and Bryonia patens was reported to have lactogenic properties (NARA-SIMHAMURTHY, 1969).The whole plant excepting the leaves was examined and reported to contain waxes, stigmasterol and y-sitosterol (BHASKARARAMAMURTY and SESHADRI, 1944). A polysaccharide, composed largely of fructose units, was isolated Prom the tubers of the plant (MUKHERJEE and SRIVATSAVA, 1951). Quercetin and its glycosides isoquercetrin, rutin and hyperoside and meso-inositol and its monomethyl ether, and y-sitosterol were reported from the follicles (SUBRAMANIAN and NAIR, 1968). In this communication we are presenting the results of our investigations on the leaves and twigs of Leptadenia reticulata.The powdered plant material was extracted successively with petroleum ether, benzene, acetone and methanol. During concentration of the petroleum ether extract a whire solid separated which on crystallisation yielded substance A. Strbstance A, white shining plates, m.p. 86' analysed for the formula C91H640 and showed I.R. bands at 3300,2860, 1470, 1058,730 and 721 cm-'. It formed a monoacetate, m.p. 73-74'. These properties suggested that it could be hentriacontanol and the identity was confirmed by mixed melting point. Downloaded by: University of British Columbia. Copyrighted material.

Cardenolides of Leptadenia madagascariensis from the Madagascar dry forest

“…4 – 6 Previous phytochemical investigations reported the presence of flavonoids5,7,8 terpenoids1–10 polyoxypregnane esters,4,11 pregnane glycosides,12,13 cardiac glycosides14 and alkaloids15 in these species. The medicinal use of plants containing cardiac glycosides was recorded as early as 1500 years ago.…”

Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight & Arn. (Jivanti): Botanical, Agronomical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Biotechnological Aspects

“…This plant is used as one of the ingredients in many herbal formulations. The therapeutic potential of this herb is because of the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as α-amyrin, β-amyrin, ferulic acid, luteolin, diosmetin, rutin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, hentricontanol, a triterpene alcohol simiarenol, apigenin, reticulin, deniculatin, and leptaculatin [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. The wild resources are unable to meet the current demand because of restricted distribution and seasonal availability.…”

Hepatoprotective activity of Leptadenia reticulata stems against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

“…[1112] It also contains pregnane glycosides such as reticulin, deniculatin, and leptaculatin isolated from aerial parts which on hydrolysis give calogenin tocopherols. [1314] The antioxidant activity of L. reticulata is due to its flavonoid contents like apigenin, rutin, and luteolin.…”